All language subtitles for Murder.She.Wrote.S01E09.Death.Takes.a.Curtain.Call.WEBRip.x264-ION10.

In the name of entertainment
and the ballet...

[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

Our good wishes
will be with you always.

First we must go
to the Federal authorities

and ask them to seek asylum.

Look, Ivan, I'm a stage manager
with a troupe of commies.

I don't know if I'd know
a Russian if I saw one.

The entire ballet
is running away. And I am mired

in this insignificant little
speck on the map.

If the KGB find me now,
my life is over.

Doggone it, Jess,
you're asking a lot.

You're the only one I can ask.

[lively orchestral music
playing]

[TV reporter] Meanwhile,
at the Boston Opera Center,

where a preview performance
of the Rostov Ballet

is scheduled for this afternoon,
anti-Communist protesters

tangled with police
who broke up

the traffic-stopping
demonstration.

[Jessica] Oh dear.

[Ethan] How about
that piece of pie?

[TV reporter] ...who doesn't
like what's happening here.

[Velma]
It's a free country,

not Communist Russia.

We have a right to be heard.
We don't want Red Culture here.

We have a right to be heard.

That is enough
to spoil a man's appetite.

[Velma] Ban the ballet!

-Ban the ballet!
-The pie?

Ban the ballet!

Ban the ballet--

Gee, I hope
that this won't interfere

with the special performance
of the ballet today.

I still don't know why you want
to go all the way to Boston just

to watch a bunch of Russians
jumpin' around a stage.

Because Leo Peterson was
thoughtful enough to invite me.

How is the pie?

It's delicious, as always.

-I'd tell you if it weren't.
-I'm sure you would.

[sweeping orchestral music playing]

[inaudible speech]

[Palmer] Good afternoon. Welcome
to our special performance.

Mr. Eddington, Jessica Fletcher.

We met at the New England
arts council dinner.

Oh, yes, of course,
Mrs. Fletcher.

I'm delighted to see you again.

My friend, Leo Peterson.

Mr. Peterson.
[Leo] How do you do?

Mr. Eddington is the president
of the arts council.

Oh, congratulations.
Rostov ballet is a good choice.

I'm looking forward
to the American debut

of Alexander
and Natalia Masurov.

Oh, I do hope
the television people

won't be in your way
with their cameras.

Really? My goodness,
I feel like a VIP.

[Palmer] Enjoy yourselves.

[sinister music playing]

-Curtain in ten minutes.
-Shall we?

[Skip] Now you tie
this off first

and then attach
the snub line, okay?

All right.

[sweeping orchestral music playing]

Uhm...

So, what's your name?
[Irina] Irina.

Irina. I like that. Irina.

What part do you play, Irina?
The sugar plum fairy?

Excuse me. I must return.

Now wait a minute, sugarplum.
I've been watching you.

You and I can have
some fun together.

It is not allowed.

Now, they don't have
to know everything, do they?

If you ever decide to defect,
you just let me know.

I'll show you a real good time.

[Serge] Let her go.

You are not to associate
with members of this company.

Listen, Berensky. I don't
take orders from the KGB.

I'm telling you personally.
Stay away from that dancer.

Don't threaten me, comrade.

I'll associate
with anybody I like.

[orchestra tuning up]

[Alexander speaking Russian]

Natalia! Are you nervous?

[Natalia] Like a pigeon,

my heart
is pounding in my chest.

Well, do not be frightened.

America will love you,
just as the world loves you.

You have always been
such a good friend, Irinichka.

Hmm.

Our good wishes
will be with you always.

[speaking Russian]

[knock on door]
[man] Three minutes!

Oh, I have to go.

Leo, am I mistaken,

or have you seen
the Rostov ballet perform?

Oh, I have indeed.
Many, many years ago.

Ha. Is that why we were favored
with this special invitation?

Perhaps.

[bright orchestral music
playing]

-Leo...
-Shh.

[applause, cheers]
[audience] Bravo! Bravo!

[sweeping orchestral music
playing]

Take my warning seriously.

Keep your distance from Irina.

You're a real tough guy,
aren't you?

What's the matter? You afraid
your little dancer's gonna do

some private dancing with me?

Go ahead, Russky, try it.
Just once. Please, just try it.

Open this door!

Open up, Commies.
Are you afraid of the truth?

[soft orchestral music playing]

Excuse me, Jessie,
I'll be right back.

Uh, what?

[triumphant orchestral music
playing]

[audience] Bravo! Bravo!

[audience] Bravo! Bravo!

[woman] He's not allowed here.

[Karzof] Alexander and Natalia
are not onstage.

Check in their dressing room,
be quick!

Yes, Major Karzof.

[Velma] Wake up, America!

[Velma] This Russian
ballet tour is only an excuse

to bring more communists
into our midst!

Don't be deceived
by treacherous lies

in the name
of entertainment!

Ban the ballet!

Russkies go home!
Ban the ballet!

[confused talking]

We must go, Jessica. Now.

[Jessica] But the parking lot
exit is that way!

No, Jessica. This way.

[unsettling music playing]

Major, what happened?

Cover the exits.
Close down the theater.

Alexander and Natalia
are missing.

Go!

Berensky.

[lively music playing]

Alexander Masurov?

[Leo] Get in, Jessica.
I'll explain everything.

You must be Natalia.

[car engine starts]

[car hooter honks]

[Natalia] It is wonderful
to finally meet you, Uncle.

My dear, dear Natalia.

[speaking Russian]

Jessica, can you forgive me
for involving you in this?

I was so afraid.

A single man at the ballet,
with an accent no less,

would be much too conspicuous.
So I asked you to accompany me.

Well, I'm not sure
that I understand.

Thank you for helping.

We have been
planning this moment

since I was a little girl.

I am so happy
it has finally come true.

Well, I'm happy for you,
Natalia,

but, Leo, you've got a lot
of explaining to do.

Of course. First we must go
to the federal authorities

and ask them to seek asylum
for Natalia and Alexander.

[Jessica] But where did you go
when you left me in the theater?

[Leo] To the car, of course.
I moved it closer,

so that our getaway
would proceed more smoothly.

Well, I hate to bring this up,

but by now someone must have
discovered they're missing.

There could be news
on the radio.

[speaking Russian]

[music over radio]

[radio reporter]
...at the Boston Opera Center,

where only moments ago, the body
of Soviet Security officer,

Serge Berensky,
was found stabbed to death

in the dressing room of
Alexander and Natalia Masurov,

stars of the Rostov ballet.

The couple,
who disappeared immediately

following today's
special preview performance,

are being sought for questioning
by local and federal author--

[radio clicks off]

[speaking Russian]

We did not do
this terrible thing.

We hurt no one.

We did not return
to our dressing room.

We went to musician room.

They only changed
their clothes there.

We did not even see Berensky.

Well, I think that we should go
directly to the police.

No! The police think
that Natalia and Alexander

have murdered a KGB officer.

But, if they're innocent,
they've got nothing to fear!

Nothing but the KGB.

If they get their hands
on Natalia and Alexander,

they will drag them back
to Russia. And do you suppose

that they would have
a fair trial there, after that?

Please, Jessica.
I know them better than you do.

Well, if, if it's a question
of delaying their surrender...

All right, Leo.
Take them back to Cabot Cove.

Find Ethan. I'll telephone him
and explain the situation.

And what about you?

Well, I'd like to stay here
and see what I can find out.

I'll catch a bus later.

[sinister music playing]

[O'Farrell] And you were
not aware of the fact

that Berensky had not come out
of his dressing room?

I wasn't paying any attention.
I was busy.

And just how busy was that?

Look, Ivan, I'm a stage manager
with a troupe of commies.

Most of 'em don't even
understand English.

I gotta keep my eyes on them
at all times.

It's too bad you didn't
keep your eyes on Berensky.

What can you tell us about him?

Not much, except he was
hanging around all the time,

-watching the ballerinas.
-Hm-mmm.

Particularly a little cutie-pie
named Irina.

Uh, pardon me.

Excuse me, who's in charge?

-I am.
-I am.

Okay. We'll, uh,
get back to you.

Anytime.

Chief Agent O'Farrell, FBI.

Is there something
I can do for you?

Uh, my name is Jessica Fletcher,

and I was in the audience
this afternoon.

Oh, yes. I remember you.

You were with a very
distinguished-looking gentleman.

Mr. Peterson. He returned home.
He doesn't have quite

the same fascination
for murder that I have.

Fascination?

Well, you see,
I write mystery stories.

[Karzof] Really?

Well, you know there is
a very excellent mystery writer

named J.B. Fletcher
from your state of Maine.

From Cabot Cove, Maine.
And I thank you.

Is it you? Oh, oh!
Oh, I am honored!

Major Anatole Karzof,
Committee for State Security.

-KGB.
-Well, if you prefer.

Mrs. Fletcher, unless you have
some relevant knowledge

about what happened,

I'm afraid I'm going to
have to ask you to leave.

[Karzof] Not so hasty,
Mr. O'Farrell.

Mrs. Fletcher has remarkable
powers of deduction.

[Karzof] I would welcome
her observations in this matter.

Well, I would not.

And need I remind you,
Major Karzof, this is my turf!

I would...

uh, hope...
in the spirit of cooperation...

in this instance you might
defer to my request, eh?

Suit yourself, Major.

I feel as though
I already know you

from the many hours I have spent
absorbed with your books.

Well, you're very kind, Major.

But I'm only sorry
that Russia doesn't see fit

to pay authors royalties.

That is a capitalist invention,
my dear.

Come, shall we examine
the scene of the crime?

-Of course.
-My favorite book, I think, was

the first one I read of yours...

I was the first
to find Berensky.

Face down, with a jeweled dagger
in his back.

-Any suspects?
-Yes, only one.

There's no doubt
that Alexander Masurov

murdered Berensky. The dagger
was part of his costume.

-And what was his motive?
-Defection.

As soon as I observed
that Alexander and Natalia

were absent
from their curtain call,

I sent Berensky
to look for them.

[Karzof] Apparently
he found them,

preparing to flee.

[Karzof] There was a struggle
with Natalia.

How can you be sure?

Fingernail marks were raked
along Berensky's face.

And while they struggled,
Alexander plunged his dagger

into Berensky's back,
killing him instantly.

Well, that is a sound premise.

But surely there are others
who had motive or opportunities?

Even I can think of one.

Oh? And who might that be?

You, Major. As you said,
you were the first on the scene.

Very good, yes.

I agree. That is my opportunity,

but what about my motive
for killing my own man?

[Jessica] The realization
that two of your country's

most famous dancers were
defecting to the West,

and the knowledge that
nothing short of murder

could prevent it.

So I killed Berensky

in order to thwart them
from seeking asylum, huh?

Excellent, excellent!
You are mistaken, of course,

but it is
a brilliant postulation.

Thank you again.

Tell me, my dear lady.

Are you planning to stay
in the city this evening?

Well, that wasn't my intention,

but under the circumstances,
I think perhaps I will.

Oh, well then, may I suggest
a wonderful place?

It's where I'm staying.
I'm sure you'll like it.

[Jessica] Ethan,
please trust me.

I'm sure they're innocent.

But until the real murderer
is found,

they need someplace to stay.

Jess, do you realize what kind
of deep chowder I'll be in

if I get caught
aiding and abetting?

And do you know what will happen
to those young, innocent people

if they are sent back to Russia?

No, and neither do you,
not for sure.

Doggone it, Jess.
You're asking a lot.

I know. And you're the only one
I can ask.

All right, all right.
But I'm only doing it for you.

There is no room on my boat
for international politics.

[knock on door]
Oh,

there's somebody at the door.
Ethan, thanks.

-[TV reporter]
...stage to take their bows,

the missing stars of the ballet,
Alexander and Natalia Masurov,

suspects in the murder
of Soviet Security Agent,

Serge Berensky.

[Velma] Wake up, Am--

Uh, forgive me, madam.

It's a habit from my old days
with the militia.

Some people were
reluctant to answer the buzzer.

Well, I'm glad I opened the door
before you kicked it down.

Hmm. The lab reports are ready.
I thought perhaps you might like

to accompany me
to police headquarters, yes?

Yeah.

That's the lot.

Isn't it sad...

how a man's whole life can be
reduced to a pile of trinkets?

Now, here's something
interesting, Major.

The victim's handkerchief
was found in his pocket,

-stained with his own blood.
-What about it?

[Jessica] Well, it seems
to disprove the Major's theory

that Berensky was struggling
with Natalia,

and she scratched his face

while Alexander
stabbed him in the back.

[O'Farrell] I don't seem
to follow your logic.

So she clawed him, and he wiped
his face with his handkerchief.

What, then he put it
back in his pocket

after he'd been fatally stabbed?

[Karzof] No. Mrs. Fletcher
is absolutely correct.

The face-scratching
must have happened earlier.

Does that report mention
anything about fibers

snagged onto the watchband?
Green fibers?

Now, that woman
who rushed on the stage,

she was wearing
a green sweater, wasn't she?

Velma Rodecker.

-Where is she now, sergeant?
-She's still upstairs in lockup.

See if these fibers match up
with her sweater.

Right.

Sergeant, you might examine
under her fingernails

-while you're at it.
-Yes, ma'am.

Uh-huh.

[bright music playing]

[Karzof] This investigation
could be valuable material

for a new mystery novel,
hey, Mrs. Fletcher.

Well, it certainly
has the right ingredients.

The murder of a soviet agent,

coincidental
with the disappearance

of two world famous
ballet stars.

Well, please don't leave out

the wise and venerable chief
of State Security

who solves the murder,
and brings to justice

the misguided betrayals
of the Homeland.

Ah, but that remains
to be seen, doesn't it?

It's in the final chapter,
madam.

-Ah, may I offer you a nightcap?
-Oh, thank you. No.

I've had an exhausting day.
I need a good night's sleep

to clear my mind. I'd like
to take a raincheck though.

-You have a raincheck.
-Thank you.

Good night.

[intriguing music playing]

Leo was certainly
a fine-looking young man.

[Palmer] Yes.

How much has he told you?

Concerning you? Nothing.

[Jessica] But I did see you
deal him a playbill

from the bottom of the deck.

Leo promised me
that no one would learn

of my participation
in the defection.

[Palmer] If the Russians were
to find out,

they would never again
allow their dancers

to perform
for the arts council.

As far as I know,
Leo has never told anyone.

Tell me, Mr. Eddington.
How did you know Leo?

-Entre nous, of course?
-Oh, of course.

My father was
the American officer

who arranged for Leo's defection
from the Russian army

during the fall of Berlin
in World War II.

Leo was then Leonid Petrovich,
a dancer who longed

for the artistic freedom
of the United States.

He was just beginning to build
himself a tremendous reputation,

when a tragic accident
ended his career.

-Accident?
-A heavy light fell onstage.

Leo was unable
to get out of the way.

Oh, of course.
That explains his limp.

So Leo contacted me
just after I'd announced

that the Rostov ballet
was coming to Boston.

And he asked me to help

in the defection
of his grandniece.

Well, how could I refuse?

And aside from inviting him
to the performance,

what was your participation?

Nothing very dramatic really.

I was to open a window
in the musicians' room.

And Leo would then bring
a change of clothes

for Natalia and Alexander.

And he was to leave the clothes
in a locker.

Number 19.

I saw the number
scribbled on his playbill.

Yes. And that was it!

Except that when I
left the musicians' room...

Yes?

...Berensky saw me
from the far wings.

I remember because
he was holding a handkerchief

to the side of his face
for some reason.

Before he went into
the Masurovs' dressing room?

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Eddington, thank you.
It's been most useful.

I really should be getting home.

-Well, let me drive you.
-Oh, no, I wouldn't think of it.

I still have time to catch
the last bus back to my hotel.

And I know my way
around Boston very well.

Well, the streets are
very dangerous at night,

especially for ladies alone.

Oh, I'll be fine,
but thanks for the concern.

-Good night.
-Good night.

[suspenseful music playing]

Looking for someone?

Go.

I hope he did not startle you,
Mrs. Fletcher.

No, I'm afraid I startled him.

Thank you for the bodyguard,
Major Karzof.

I wouldn't have dared to walk
the streets alone,

if I hadn't known
Mr. Nagy was following me.

Mmm.

It was a wasted exercise

interviewing Mr. Eddington,
madam.

[Karzof] The fibers found
in Berensky's watchband

match those
of Velma Rodecker's sweater,

and traces of Berensky's flesh
were found under her nails,

as you suggested.

They've arrested her
for the murder?

[Karzof] Yes,
and while I have no sympathy

for a neurotic anticommunist,

I regard it as a most
depressing development.

[dramatic music plays]

[light music playing]

[Amos] Morning.

Ethan Cragg about?

Uh, yup.

I don't believe we've met.

Amos Tupper.
I'm the local sheriff.

Yup.

[Amos] You must be new
around here. Where are you from?

Amos.

Ethan.
[Ethan laughs]

Good morning, Amos. Ah,
see you've met my new deckhand.

I figured I could use some help

the way the cod's
been biting lately.

Good idea.

You here temporarily or you
planning on staying a while?

Nope.

Oh, I think what he means is
that he's gonna stay here

for a while
and then he'll be moving on.

Isn't that right, pal?

Yup.

Hey, how about if I buy you
a cup of coffee at the inn?

Sounds good to me.

[Amos]
Seems like a friendly sword.

Might too gabby for my taste.

Ethan, have you, uh,
seen any suspicious looking

-characters about?
-Suspicious? How?

Different. Foreign-like.
You know, Russian.

Russian?

Yeah, two Russky
toe dancers, a man and a woman,

they ran off
from some Boston ballet.

Defectors.
Only, they murdered a fella,

and there's
a warrant out on them.

I don't know if I'd know
a Russian if I saw one.

-Would you?
-Ha! From a country mile away.

[Amos] Well now,
who do you suppose that is?

Uh, her? Oh, uh, that little gal
has come to visit

Nils Warson's family
for a spell.

Are we gonna have the coffee?

Pretty little thing, isn't she?

[bright music playing]

[Karzof] Radicals!

[scoffs] So vociferous
for the cameras,

yet quiet as church mice
under interrogation.

Then, miss Rodecker still
hasn't made a statement, hmm?

And she is deriving
intense pleasure

from her newfound notoriety.

But then, that's exactly what
she wanted, her day in court.

The center of attention.

Make no mistake,
she is the killer.

The woman stabbed Berensky

and then ran onto the stage
to cause her disturbance.

But the murder weapon
was Alexander's dagger.

Surely he was using it
onstage at that moment?

[speaks Russian]

You will recall that
the wedding scene occurs

in the final act.

The dagger is not worn
in the wedding scene.

And therefore, it would have
remained in the dressing room

throughout the finale.

I see.

Those young girls over there,

they're members of
the Corps De Ballet aren't they?

[Karzof] Mmm, yes.

That little one there
looks so sad.

Oh, Irina. Yes. Yes, yes.

-She was Natalia's best friend.
-Oh.

-W-would you like to meet her?
-Yes, yes.

Uh, miss Katska.

Would you come, please?

Mrs. Fletcher, may I present
miss Irina Katska?

How do you do?

Major Karzof has told me
how close you were to Natalia.

I'm so sorry. I know
what it is to lose a friend.

-You are very kind.
-Thank you, Irina.

Well, you must forgive me,
Major, but I must catch

the next bus back to Cabot Cove.

Oh, so soon?

Well, you've almost
solved the crime.

There's no reason
for me to stay.

Then it is farewell only,
never, never good-bye.

-Farewell then.
-Farewell.

Good news, Major.

Velma Rodecker
has decided to talk.

[bright music playing]

Welcome home, Ms. Fletcher.

Why, Sheriff,
do you always meet the bus

-to welcome people home?
-Only the famous ones.

Ethan tells me
you hung around Boston

gathering material
concerning that murder.

-What did you find out, eh?
-It was open-and-shut.

Apparently a protester
named Velma Rodecker

-murdered the Russian agent.
-Ah.

Have you seen Ethan around?

Oh, he's down at his boat
showing his new hand the ropes.

-New hand?
-Friendly young fella.

Sounds like he's from
up around Bangor.

[cheerful music playing]

[Jessica] Ethan!

Oh, there she is.
How ya doin', Jessica?

Ethan, when I asked you
to hide Alexander and Natalia,

this is not at all
what I had in mind.

Don't get on your high horse,
woman.

What did you want me to do,
stuff 'em in my sea chest?

Amos thinks she's a Swede
from Minnesota.

Well, even so, I'm taking
Natalia home with me right now.

-Now where's Leo?
-Up to his house, I guess.

Well, then you bring Alexander
along to my place

for supper tonight,
and then we've got to make

some new arrangements.

The Police Department,
the KGB and the FBI

could be down on this town
in any moment.

What for? They got the murderer.

Velma Rodecker
is not the murderer.

[Leo] Aah! That smells good.
Oh, does that smell good!

Leo, will you sit there?
Ethan, you come around here.

And you two,
you better sit side-by-side.

[doorbell rings]

Who in tarnation is that?

Leo! Take Alexander
and Natalia upstairs. Hurry!

[speaking Russian]

[Dewey] Well, I sure am sorry
for disturbin' ya, ma'am,

but I was told Captain Cragg
might be here.

Oh, yes, I'm Ethan Cragg.
What can I do for you?

Well, Sir, I just put
into the harbor

with a blown oil seal,
and a fella down at the docks

said you might have
a spare seal to sell me.

No, I'm sorry, but, uh, you can
probably get one from Gus Harker

over at Rockwater Bay.

Oh, Rockwater Bay, huh? Shoot.

Uh, Ma'am, you s'pose
I could use your phone

to call over there
before I start hitchin'

-in that direction?
-Oh yes, of course.

-Come on inside.
-Thank you.

Looks like you folks
are expecting company.

Well, they are a little late.

You know how much trouble
babies can be, Mr., uh...

Dewey Johnson.

Gus will be home
at this time of night.

-Just call the operator.
-Oh, thank you, ma'am.

You from down east, Mr. Johnson?

Oh no, ma'am. I'm from Maine,

born and bred,
up near Bar Harbor.

Well, that's lovely, Bar Harbor.

I'll let you make
your phone call.

News is on, Jess.
Come take a look.

[TV reporter]
...and the disappearance

of two Russian ballet stars

remain a mystery
in Boston today.

The dancers were first missed
when they did not come onstage

to take their curtain calls,
as shown in this videotape

of the preview performance
of the Rostov ballet.

[Dewey] All through, ma'am.
Mr. Harker's got that seal,

so I best try to catch me
a ride over there.

Much obliged for your help.

Oh, you're very welcome,
I'm sure.

-So long.
-Good night.

[Leo] Jessica, has he gone?
He's gone, all right.

[speaks Russian]

-But not to Gus Harker's.
-What do you mean?

I asked him if he was
from down east and he said,

"No, I'm from Maine."

Aha!
[chuckles]

Yes?

Oh. Well, "down East"
is just another name for Maine.

Anybody from New England
would know that.

That man ain't
who he says he is.

-Then who is he?
-We'll soon find out.

I have a strong suspicion

he's done something
to my telephone.

Letitia?
This is Jessica Fletcher.

I'd like you to reach
a number in Boston.

[knocking on door]

Letitia, hold that call,
will you?

There's someone at the door.

Thanks.

Wasn't me doing the pounding,
Ms. Fletcher.

Why, Major Karzof,
what a pleasant surprise.

Perhaps not, Mrs. Fletcher.
Sheriff?

I'm sorry, Ms. Fletcher,

but these fellas have a warrant
to search your house.

-My house? Whatever for?
-I'll check the kitchen.

Uh, Major,
would you care to explain?

Certainly. I would not dare
embarrass you like this

without explaining my action.

I am looking for Natalia
and Alexander Masurov.

We searched Leo Peterson's
house, but no one was there.

And why would
the Masurovs be here

or at Mr. Peterson's house,
for that matter?

Velma Rodecker had a very
interesting story to tell.

It seems that after
she struggled with Berensky,

she was forcibly removed
from the theater.

She discovered a window open

and entered to find herself
in the musician's room.

She heard a sound and hid...

and then watched as a man
climbed in through the window

with a viola case.

The case contained two costumes.

Miss Rodecker slipped
out of the room,

into the backstage area,

where she hid
until the curtain call.

Her description of the man
sounded remarkably

like your Mr. Peterson.
Right down to his limp.

A quick check
with the Soviet Consulate

revealed that Leo Peterson
of Cabot Cove, Maine,

is in truth Leonid Petrovich,
betrayer of his homeland,

and the granduncle
of Natalia Masurov.

There's no one in the kitchen.

Well, I could have
told you that, Amos.

-How did you enjoy the muffin?
-Real good, ma'am.

There is no sign of them,
Major.

[Jessica] What a shame. You came
all this distance for nothing.

As you can see,
the situation has changed.

Alexander Masurov is once again
the prime murder suspect.

If you should, by some chance,

happen to encounter
the Masurovs,

as unlikely as that may be,

please assure them
that my government

Will provide them
with a fair and just trial.

And then they will be executed.

You can call off
your manhunt, Major.

I wish to make
a full confession.

Leo, no!

I have no desire
to conceal the truth, Jessica.

I killed Berensky

so that my niece and nephew

would have sufficient time
to escape.

They were not aware
of my action.

Don't listen to him, Major.

It's a noble gesture,
but it's not true.

Obviously.
Arrest him anyway, Sheriff.

He is guilty
of obstructing justice.

I hate to do this, Leo.

Amos.

[melancholic music playing]

Was that necessary, Major?

Ours is a war of attrition,
Mrs. Fletcher.

That was a warning shot
across your bow.

Don't be deceived
by my gentle manner...

I beg of you.

Letitia, you can make
that Boston call now.

[phone ringing]

Stage manager.

Yeah.

Irina!

[seagulls gawking]

[Irina] Yes,
this is Irina Katska.

[Jessica] Irina,
this is Jessica Fletcher.

[Jessica]
We met yesterday at breakfast.

[Irina] Yes, I, I, I remember.

Irina, I can't
go into detail now,

but Natalia
asked me to call you.

Natalia?

She wants you to know
that she and Alexander

are safe and in hiding.

You know where they are?

Uh, yes. They're near my home
in, in Cabot Cove, Maine.

[Irina] Oh, I'm so grateful
they are safe!

[Jessica] Natalia wanted you
to know that she's so sorry

that she couldn't
say good-bye properly.

Well, I, I understand.

[Jessica] Alexander also
sends a message.

I, I'll try
to remember the words.

[speaking broken Russian]

[Jessica] I hope
I said it correctly.

I don't know what it means.

It, it was correct,
Mrs. Fletcher.

I understood
every word perfectly.

If only I could be there.

Well, perhaps, uh, Mr. Fleming
could be of some assistance?

[intriguing music playing]

[Amos] Now here's a possibility.
The old Linderman farmhouse.

-Been deserted since '68.
-Well, let's go there at once!

Oh, just remembered.

The whole place burned
to the ground last winter,

lock, stock and barrel.

You are not being
very helpful, Sheriff.

I want to find them and now!

Major, there's no call
to raise your voice.

I'm doing my best.
[phone ringing]

I'm becoming very aware of that.

-Sheriff Tupper.
-Major, I lost Mrs. Fletcher.

Lost her? In a town
the size of a postage stamp?

Ms. Fletcher
give you the slip, huh?

She is a wily one.
It's for you, Major.

For me?

Major Karzof.

Irina, missing? Well, find her!

[phone clicks]

The entire ballet
is running away,

and I am mired in this
insignificant little speck

-on the map!
-No, we're here, Major.

[bright music playing]

Sweetness, this isn't exactly
what I meant when I said

that I'd show you the sights.

It is not much further.

I don't even know
where we're going.

To a safe place.
That is all I can say.

If the KGB find me now,
my life is over.

Sugarplum,
I'm not the KGB, okay?

Trust me.

Please, Mr. Fleming,
it is not much further.

I gotta be nuts.

[crickets chirping]

[Skip] Fletcher.
Fletcher. Isn't that the name

of that busybody dame
who, uh... Hey!

[doorbell rings]

Irina! How nice to see you.
Come in. And Mr. Fleming.

Mrs. Fletcher,
you must help me.

-Coming here wasn't my idea.
-No, no. It was mine.

Mrs. Fletcher, Natalia's bravery
has encouraged me.

I wish to join her and Alexander
and live in freedom.

Well, I know that they'll be
overjoyed to see you.

Now you wait right here,
and I'll go make a phone call.

[Skip] Uh, what's wrong
with this phone?

Well, that phone isn't bugged.

[suspenseful music playing]

[phone ringing]

[Ethan] Hello?

[Jessica] Ethan, take Natalia
and Alexander to your boat.

[Jessica] We'll meet you there.

[Ethan] You sure it's safe?
[Jessica] Positive.

[Ethan] We're on our way.

Flotsam to sand castle, over.

[static]
Go ahead.

It's going down. Suspects
are en route to Cragg's boat.

[static]
Got it.

[Jessica] Are you sure
you won't have a cup of tea?

Are you kidding?

I wonder what is keeping
Natalia and Alexander.

Hey, look. Why do I
have to hang around here?

Suppose I just split.

Well, it might be safer to wait.

They're watching the house.

Oh, great.

If I hadn't listened to you,

I'd be in some cozy Boston bar
getting smashed right now.

[doorbell rings]
Oh, we have company.

Major. Amos, did you forget
to search my fruit cellar?

-Come to think of it--
-No, Mrs. Fletcher.

My man just reported to me that
you have visitors from Boston.

[Karzof] Ah, miss Katska,
and Mr. Fleming.

Listen, pal, I have
nothing to do with this.

And why are you here, Irina?

Perhaps to find your friends,
Natalia and Alexander Masurov?

I do not know.

Do you know the penalty
for shielding a murderer?

Alexander didn't kill anyone!

B-but I, I know who did!
It was him!

-Oh, c-come on! You're crazy!
-No, it's true!

He hated Berensky
because of me.

[Irina] They fought
in front of witnesses.

-You conniving little commie.
-Just hold it, sonny.

That's very interesting, Irina.

Hmm.

You say that Mr. Fleming hated
Mr. Berensky because of you.

Yes. He thought Berensky
and I were lovers.

And he wanted me for himself.
He was mad with jealousy.

Aw, come on. She's crazy!

Uh, but Mr. Fleming
had no reason to be jealous

of Mr. Berensky, did he?

[Jessica] You are in love
with Alexander Masurov.

Incorrect, Mrs. Fletcher.

Irina's affair with Masurov

ended when he became
enamored of Natalia.

No! Alexander still loves me!

You, you tell him,
Mrs. Fletcher.

You... No, tell him
the message Alexander sent.

[speaking Russian]

I will love you always.

[Irina] He said that, you hear?
Alexander said that to me.

I'm sorry, Irina. Alexander
didn't send that message.

[Jessica] I only said he did.

[Jessica] Leo gave me
the words to tell you.

[Jessica] It was the only way
I could get you

to reveal your true feelings
for Alexander.

-For what possible reason?
-Her motive.

It finally dawned on me
last night, Major.

It was the videotape
of the curtain call.

Each time I saw it,
I knew something was wrong.

[Jessica] It lacked symmetry.

There should have been
six ballerinas,

three on each side.

But the sides were uneven
because there were only five.

[Jessica] Not only were Natalia
and Alexander missing

from the curtain call,
but so was Irina.

[Jessica] I think you sensed
they were going to defect.

When you saw them leave
the stage, you ran after them,

hoping to stop the man you loved
from running out of your life.

[Jessica] But you found
their dressing room empty.

Berensky came in,
sent by Major Karzof.

He told you
the Masurovs were gone.

But there was still one way

to prevent them
from making good their escape,

and in your desperation,

you picked up
Alexander's dagger--

[Irina] Stop!
Stop, please, stop.

I just... I wanted him back.

I, I didn't think.
I didn't know what I was doing.

Please.
[melancholic music playing

No.

Well, it makes
no difference anymore.

Take me back.

Child, Major Karzof
has no jurisdiction here.

Amos.
Be gentle with her, please.

Yes, ma'am. I sure will.

Now if you'll just
come along, miss.

Well, if no one objects,

I'll just
get the hell out of here.

I was about to suggest
the same thing, Mr. Fleming.

-Good night.
-Yeah.

So... J.B. Fletcher has
wrapped up another mystery, eh?

[car engine starts]

Rather neatly done, I might say.

Oh, not really. I'm afraid
I left poor Mr. O'Farrell

waiting on an empty boat.

But then, of course, he
shouldn't have tapped my phone.

[Karzof chuckles]

And what about
Natalia and Alexander Masurov?

On their way to Portland,

to turn themselves in
as defectors seeking sanctuary.

I thought as much.

[Jessica] You could have tried
to stop them.

Well, I, uh, did what I could.

Let them live in peace.

And what about you, Major?

Have you ever thought
of living in peace?

As a loyal citizen
of the Soviet Union,

I will pretend
I did not hear that.

Tell me, how's the fishing
around here?

-Marvelous! Do you fish?
-Of course!

Every chance I get, of course.

Maybe you could stay around
a few days.

A few days.

Unfortunately,

days have a way
of growing into years.

So, farewell, my dear Jessica.

I look forward
to your next novel.

I'd like to send you
a signed copy,

if it won't compromise you
in the Kremlin.

Sometimes, a man
likes to be compromised, eh?